Apr 18, 2012

Tea as Inspiration - Annie West

I was going to write about something deeply intellectual and thought provoking. You know, the sort of post that gives you a brilliant lightbulb moment. But I couldn't. Instead I succumbed to the lure of fascination and fun. I've had these pics in my camera for a while now and I just couldn't resist using them.

We have at home this packet of 5 tea bags, a gift from someone in Germany. I'm telling myself I'll open them soon and use them but I get so much pleasure just out of looking at them.

In case the pictures aren't very clear, each is a tea bag, suspended not from a string but from a cardboard cut out person whose arms stretch out to rest on the edge of your cup, so you can enjoy seeing the tea bag as it brews.

Each is a fascinating persona. Here we have in descending author a treasury of great authors: Voltaire, Schiller, Dante, Shakespare and Goethe. I love Dante's grumpy face and the fact that Goethe seems to be checking out the action just out of your line of sight. I'm looking forward to using these and drawing inspiration for my writing from one of the world's great writers. Surely it will be like osmosis. With Shakespeare or Schiller to help me the words are bound to flow. Yes?

And if you prefer to be inspired by people who don't have a literary background, my husband has some he's been using at work. So far I think he's used Jimmy Hendrix and John Lennon. Then there's a set with Sister Theresa, Nelson Mandela and interestingly, Che Guevara. And another set with British royal family members. Something for almost every taste. I'm wondering now about a set of famous Russian authors. Maybe a set of composers. And of course there are sporting heroes and current faces from public life. Who wouldn't want to dunk a politician when they had the chance?

So, what do you think? Would having these inspire you to write, or tackle whatever work it is you do? Who would you love to see on a tea bag, or coffee bag for that matter, that might inspire you? Famous romance authors? Family members? Titles of your unpublished works in book form? Gorgeous scenes? I'd love to hear your suggestions.

Contribute an answer and I'll put your name in a random draw to win a book. As Undone By His Touch is a brand new release this month in the UK, I'll give away a signed copy of that. I'll post the winner's name here before the next post goes up, so keep your eyes open.

Annie writes for Harlequin Mills and Boon - "Modern" in the UK, "Presents" in the US and "Sexy" in Australia/New Zealand. To her delight, and her family's amusement, that means she can call herself a Sexy Author! Annie has devoted her life to an in depth study of tall, dark, charismatic heroes - it's hard but someone has to do it.

Those are my thoughts exactly. I've been looking at these tea bags for ages but haven't been able to bring myself to use them. Sigh. But I suppose the used ones could go on my cork board, minus the actual tea.

Annie, what a fun post! I remember you showing me those cute tea bags when I was down visiting you and getting major envy. You know how I love a cup of tea to start the day. And then, uh, continue the day. And then, uh, continue the continuing. And then... Yeah, I know. I drink a LOT of tea. Buy my teabags in lots of 200!

By the way, anyone who wins UNDONE BY HIS TOUCH has a real treat ahead. That's such a great story!

Hi Anna, yes, I know how you love your tea. I was amazed actually, that you didn't try to snaffle these special ones of mine. Aren't they a treat? I can imagine being inspired by Goethe and sad to say I think I'd just giggle at Dante - he looks so grumpy. I'm saving them for days when I really need them.

Thanks for the kind words about UNDONE. I recently got my first review for the book and am so chuffed about it.

I'm glad you like them. I wish they were on sale here - I'm sure they'd do a roaring trade!

Ooh, thanks for the feedback on GIRL IN THE BEDOUIN TENT! I'm so happy you loved it. I had an absolute ball with that one. I realised later that I was just letting myself go with the whole sheikh fantasy - always a good thing, I find.

Annie, they're amazing! Want! As to what I would have on mine, despite saying elsewhere that I don't care about eye candy, it would be amusing to have naked hunky types, so it could look like they were lolling in the hot tub of your tea. And I have a friend who would love famous musicians (which you can probably buy from the clever makers, esp since they are European). thanks for sharing!

Hi Katherine, aren't they fun? They're from a stationery shop of all places in Berlin. The most fabulous stationery store I've seen in ages. A mix of cheap and cheerful and elegantly expensive and all so drool worthy. This was in a suburb too, not in a main shopping area.

Hi Imelda, I'm chuckling here at the way you speak about naked hunks lolling in my cup of tea. I can see it now. Hm, I'm beginning to wonder if I could contact the manufacturers with some brilliant ideas and then sell them in Australia. I could make a fortune from romance readers and writers alone. Yes, I did wonder if there musicians too. Must try to find out.

OMG -- I need some of these! Annie, these are brilliant and I would definitely use them. I'd make myself a cup of tea, take myself off to my writing desk and proceed to hold deep and meaningful conversations with each and every one of those writers...and perhaps consider ways to make Dante smile. :-)

My wish list tea bags? Oh! How about the entire cast of Pride and Prejudice? I'm sure there'd be some hot moments with Mr Darcy, some amusing ones with Lizzy, and I think there'd be a certain kind of satisfaction in dunking Mr Collins and Lady Catherine.

Hi Annie, the tea bags dont inspire me at all (they do make me chuckle tho) but my eldest poked her head over my shoulder to see what I was looking at and she thinks they're fab. She quite likes a bit of mint tea... maybe they'll inspire her to do her homework... the two week deadline is fast drawing near :/

I wouldnt say no to a Vin Diesel Coffee Bag... oh yes!!! Although to be honest it would only inspire me to sit there and dream hehehe.

TashNz, you want a Vin Diesel bag. I'll put my hand up for a Gerard Butler one. And while we're at it, how about Leonardo D? Might be more of a distraction though LOL.Annie, congratulations on your latest Romantic Times award win!!

Michelle, what a great thought - I'd love a set of these with the characters in Pride and Prejudice. Wouldn't that be marvellous? I fear though that I'd get rather distracted by them. I'd be too busy reliving the highs and lows of the story and probably end up using them as puppets. Hm. There's an idea.

Marybell, I'm laughing at the idea of a bunch of Regency rakes hanging out in your kitchen. Now that would be a talking point. I can fully understand you drinking lots of tea then swooning. You'd have to make sure you were sitting down first! Love it.

Rachel, that's precisely why my tea bags are unopened after so long. I want to use them but I want to keep them. I think I'll have to use them then pin the 'used' authors to my cork board. Yes definitely something appropriate about having English historical characters with your tea. Was just imagining what it might be like to have Shakespearian characters gracing your cup but I'm not sure it would be calming having Hamlet or Othello brooding up at you as you drank.

Love the teabags, Annie. They certainly beat the common garden variety in my pantry. If I was to put inspiring pictures on mine they'd be of very successful romance and suspence writers so that they could remind me daily of my goals. I drink buckets of tea so would always be getting a nudge from them.

Sharon, now there's an interesting idea. I could see some fabulous animal tea bags. I think seeing a cute hairy nosed wombat over a cuppa at the beginning of the day would be terrific. And, yes a set of cats for the cat lovers or dogs for the canine fans.

Thanks everyone for your enthusiasm! I'm so pleased you enjoyed my tea bags. They make me smile when I see them so it's great to share the joy.

As for a winner of UNDONE BY HIS TOUCH - I've done a random draw and THE WINNER IS PRINCESS FIONA. Congratulations, Fiona! Just email me at annie(at)annie-west(dot)com with your postal address and I'll send it to you.

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